Kuo-Tung Tang1,2,3, Chia-Wei Hsieh1,2, Hsin-Hua Chen1,3,4,5, Yi-Ming Chen1,2,3,4, Shih-Hsin Chang1,6,7, Po-Hao Huang6,7, Joung-Liang Lan6,7, Der-Yuan Chen8,9,10,11. 1. Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan. 2. Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. 3. Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. 4. Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. 5. Department of Industrial Engineering and Enterprise Information, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan. 6. Rheumatology and Immunology Center, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yude Road, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan. 7. College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. 8. Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan. dychen1957@gmail.com. 9. Rheumatology and Immunology Center, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yude Road, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan. dychen1957@gmail.com. 10. College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. dychen1957@gmail.com. 11. Translational Medicine Laboratory, Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Taichung, Taiwan. dychen1957@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder with clinical heterogeneity. Although tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin (IL)-6 receptor inhibitor, is an effective treatment for AOSD, the evidence regarding its efficacy on systemic or articular subtypes is conflicting. Furthermore, the predictors of therapeutic response are still elusive and worthy of exploration. METHODS: This two-center retrospective study analyzed the effectiveness and safety profile of TCZ treatment in 28 patients with refractory AOSD. The 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and systemic activity score were assessed before and during TCZ treatment period at weeks 12, 24, 36, and 48. Plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines at baseline were determined using ELISA method. RESULTS: Among the systemic subtype patients, 10 (58.8%), 13 (76.5%), 14 (82.4%), and 15 (88.2%) patients achieved complete remission at week 12, 24, 36, and 48, respectively, in comparison to 2 (22.2%), 5 (55.6%), 6 (66.7%), and 7 (77.8%) who achieved disease remission (DAS28 < 2.6) at weeks 12, 24, 36, and 48, respectively, among articular subtype patients. The systemic activity scores and inflammatory parameters were significantly decreased after 12-week TCZ therapy, and TCZ could significantly reduce corticosteroid dose in AOSD patients. Multivariate analysis reveals that baseline IL-18 level is a significant predictor of poor therapeutic response at week 24 (odds ratio 7.86, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AOSD patients refractory to high-dose corticosteroids and methotrexate may respond well to TCZ treatment with a steroid-sparing effect and an acceptable safety. A high baseline IL-18 level may be a predictor of poor therapeutic response. Key Points • Tocilizumab may be effective and well-tolerated in refractory AOSD patients regardless of disease subtypes. • High plasma levels of IL-18 may predict poor response to tocilizumab in AOSD patients.
OBJECTIVE: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder with clinical heterogeneity. Although tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin (IL)-6 receptor inhibitor, is an effective treatment for AOSD, the evidence regarding its efficacy on systemic or articular subtypes is conflicting. Furthermore, the predictors of therapeutic response are still elusive and worthy of exploration. METHODS: This two-center retrospective study analyzed the effectiveness and safety profile of TCZ treatment in 28 patients with refractory AOSD. The 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and systemic activity score were assessed before and during TCZ treatment period at weeks 12, 24, 36, and 48. Plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines at baseline were determined using ELISA method. RESULTS: Among the systemic subtype patients, 10 (58.8%), 13 (76.5%), 14 (82.4%), and 15 (88.2%) patients achieved complete remission at week 12, 24, 36, and 48, respectively, in comparison to 2 (22.2%), 5 (55.6%), 6 (66.7%), and 7 (77.8%) who achieved disease remission (DAS28 < 2.6) at weeks 12, 24, 36, and 48, respectively, among articular subtype patients. The systemic activity scores and inflammatory parameters were significantly decreased after 12-week TCZ therapy, and TCZ could significantly reduce corticosteroid dose in AOSD patients. Multivariate analysis reveals that baseline IL-18 level is a significant predictor of poor therapeutic response at week 24 (odds ratio 7.86, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AOSD patients refractory to high-dose corticosteroids and methotrexate may respond well to TCZ treatment with a steroid-sparing effect and an acceptable safety. A high baseline IL-18 level may be a predictor of poor therapeutic response. Key Points • Tocilizumab may be effective and well-tolerated in refractory AOSD patients regardless of disease subtypes. • High plasma levels of IL-18 may predict poor response to tocilizumab in AOSD patients.